Learning from the Boeing Max episode

We are all familiar with the Boeing 737 Max episode, the steps that followed the global grounding of Boeing’s latest, best-selling narrow body jet after two crashes that together claimed 346 lives. In October 2018, Indonesia’s Lion Air Flight 610 had ended in the Java sea, while Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed into the Ethiopian countryside in March 2019. Both crashes took place while climbing, within a short span after takeoff.

It all started with Boeing’s desire to catch up with its competitor Airbus 320 Neo, which was enjoying a rush of orders and deliveries after upgrading to a new turbofan engine that was more efficient and ensured substantial fuel efficiency.